Whether it is for a recording or a performance, a good mixer should be a part of every musician's toolbox. However, mixers can be expensive, but that was before Monoprice got into the Pro Audio business!

This 8-channel mixer features a full suite of input options, including four balanced XLR microphone inputs, four unbalanced mono 1/4" TS line inputs, two pairs of unbalanced mono 1/4" TS inputs ganged together for stereo control, a single USB 2.0 input/output for connection to a computer, a 3.5mm stereo TRS input, and a pair of RCA inputs. The mixer can provide +48V Phantom Power to all four XLR mic inputs.

In addition to the USB 2.0 input/output, this mixer has five additional outputs. The Phones output is an unbalanced stereo 1/4" TRS connection, while the Aux Send and the R and L outputs are all unbalanced mono 1/4" TS connections. Additionally, there is a pair of RCA outputs. The R and L outputs are ganged together for stereo control on the mixer.

Pros: Excellent options for the money
4 mic inputs
Multiple inputs for any device
separate gains for all mics

Cons: none based on what I need it for

I think this board is outstanding for the price. I use it with my DJ setup and it works flawlessly. Very clean signal, high quality parts, and everything you need. I would have loved to see an effect or two for the vocals, but hey, for this price I'm just getting greedy. I don't use the USB, so I can't comment on that. I plug in my laptop, and run it from the board to my amp. Exceptionally simple set up, and it works flawlessly. Three thumbs up!

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Rating: (8 out of 10)

Reviewer: rob from Calgary, AB

12/30/2014 2:48:27 PM

Works well so far

Pros: Does what it claims
Smaller than it appears in the pictures on the site
No noise issues

Cons: Signal routing from channels 5,6,7,8 and USB to the outputs is unclear and could be improved.
It is very jight, so when lots of cables are plugged into the unit, the whole unit tilts up. Could be improved with a case design the supports of rear of the unit.

I have been using this unit for 1 week. I am using this as a small home studio mixer, and may end up using it just for a guitar+effects mixer/router. The unit does what it says, and is a great price, about $15-20 cheaper than similar products from music equipment companies. the 5,6,7,8 channels are treated more like 2 stereo channels, and have some routing options that don't quite work the way I would like. The USB output routing is also lumped into the behavior of the 2 routing switches, making things confusing. I think the unit does most of what I wanted. I would prefer if the unit allowed me to switch the mix to 2 or 3 different stereo outputs, since even basic home studios use different speakers to listen to their recordings.

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Rating: (9 out of 10)

Reviewer: Anonymous from Sturgis, SD

10/19/2014 9:54:14 PM

Amazing quality out of this cheap device!

Pros: 4 stereo channels Rugged build, feels expensive, great sound

Cons: output for main is 1/4 inch connection- not super bad

I love this mixer! It is the perfect size for a mobile DJ like me! I use an all powered setup so having a small tabletop mixer was a good option for me. It's great for having multiple mics or an instrument hooked in. I like how I can have my sound card outputting in stereo RCA, and then have a 3.5 mm input available if someone wants to play something of their phone. Defiantly recommend it and never have thought about going to another brand. The only thing I think about is when I can get the rest of my DJ stuff from here one stop! Thanks Monoprice!!!!

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Rating: (7 out of 10)

Reviewer: James Gockel from California City, CA

10/12/2014 3:30:08 PM

Hum Fix update 1

So after playing with it, I was able to get the 1khz hum to go away, but it came back.

The majority of the failure comes from the Mac, the mac doesn't allow you to control the input volume from this device (at the computer). Therefore making a almost invisible hum completely noticeable, by using full output volume. If you can control the input volume (at the computer) the hum would be gone. Since you can turn the output levels (main, and input 1 level, and input 1 mic in on the mixer) up way beyond what the Mac can handle. The problem is you can't lower the input (level) at the computer(s internal mixer) itself.

This is probably why I never noticed the hum on my linux computers, because I could control the volume at the computer side, and turned up the outputs which compensated for any digital noise.

The noise is exacerbated by putting a loopback over USB to monitor the output, but turning it off is not the only solution.

It is NOT a power noise issue, tested with a battery supply, and with UPSes. Power noises are if you get a 60hz hum, not a 1khz hum. This is a DAC issue, but shouldn't be as noticeable.
I have only noticed the issue on my MacBook Air.

I'm going to keep testing a bit. I love monoprice products, sometimes they are cheap for a reason. So if I discover any other solutions I will try to post them, right now the only solution I have is to use a throughput device to lower the volume at the computer side, right now trying to see if I can get soundflower to handle this.

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Rating: (10 out of 10)

Reviewer: James Gockel from California City, CA

10/12/2014 12:48:27 PM

1khz Hum FIX!

Pros: Great interface for a simple setup

Cons: USB hum at 1khz (and resonance), only on my mac! But I have a solution.

Ah the Hum, everyone is bitching about the Hum! Monoprice is right, it records JUST FINE over USB. What you (like me) have been trying to do is push audio back out at the same time you record. This causes a nice 1khz hum.

So the trick is DONT MONITOR USB OUT ON THE MIXER!

I have been able to resolve the issue and tested. I thought it was just the mac, but other USB devices seemed to work fine. It seemed to work fine on my desktop, but I don't think I've actually been pushing audio back out at the same time (monitoring the audio over USB) on my linux box.

I use renoise on the mac and when I turn on the audio out to be the USB, instant hum... I plugged the headphones into the mac directly, and stopped monitoring the audio through the mixer and, amazing NO HUM.

Monoprice responses are stupid, Its not the power, or anything like that. I've even tested with an independent 12v battery supply, hum is still there. It's only the fact that I was monitoring the audio over usb, while recording.

Get yourself a virtual loopback cable software and monitor through the mac's audio out.

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